Promiscuity and the Sex Industry

At the other end of the spectrum from virginity, women who choose more than one partner have often been referred to as "the whore." In our treatment, "whore" is an archetype, meaning a woman who is not a virgin, whether she's had one lover or one hundred.

Taken literally, throughout history, prostitution has been a consistent "career option" for women, one of the few ways in which women could support themselves. More accepted or respected forms of prostitution were the harem, European courtesans, the Japanese geisha (whose duties didn't necessarily include sex), and the mistress.

Women did not usually have much choice in the matter. They were forced into prostitution by circumstance rather than inclination.

In modern times, having multiple partners during our lives has become common. The Pill and the women's movement of the '70s have given us almost as much sexual freedom as men have enjoyed. We are no longer subject to the whims of a powerful patron or husband -- we can and do make our own decisions about sex.

With this freedom comes responsibility.

Ceres rules birth control, but that's not the only concern when it comes to sex. Condoms provide a reasonable degree of protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), but even condoms are not 100 percent effective, due to slippage, breakage or improper use.

Some women feel empowered by their sexual choices and actions. We take precautions to keep ourselves healthy, we select lovers based on what we want rather than what outside forces dictate. And we enjoy ourselves.

But some of us fall into unhealthy patterns as a result of poor decisions or sexual abuse. The line between multiple lovers and harmful promiscuity is one we each have to draw for ourselves. If our Mars and Venus signs are in conflict with an outer planet (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) we can find it difficult to decide where to draw this line. As a result, we may make many poor choices before finding the right balance.

Studies show that women, more than men, connect emotionally with sexual partners. It may be difficult for some women to have "casual" sex. If you're having sex because you think you should in order to prove you're liberated, and not because you enjoy your lifestyle -- stop.

The Sex Industry

Linda Lovelace, famous for her role in the adult film Deep Throat, went on record about the abusive practices of the adult film industry. She was appalled at what she had done and what she had been forced into by her boyfriend. At the time, she did not feel powerful enough to resist, but she eventually took control of her situation and got herself out of the industry. She married and became a mother and does not like to think about her prior life.

Susie Bright, Annie Sprinkle, and Xaviera Hollander all took a different view of their experiences in the sex industry. Xaviera's memoir Happy Hooker; An Autobiography details her life as a prostitute and offers women advice on how to spruce up their own sex lives. Prolific writer and performer Susie Bright is well-known for her delight in erotica.

Annie Sprinkle may be considered the ultimate Vesta, being both whore and goddess. She found a spiritual awakening in her work as a porn star. She now travels around the world giving presentations that she hopes will empower women to embrace their sexuality. Her frank attitude toward sex is a marked contrast to the timid "purity" women were expected to have since the Victorian era.

More on Sexuality:

Sexuality
Virginity
Lesbianism
Sexual Abuse

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